Tartan in fashion

Here’s my latest custom over-bust corset design. It’s made from a classic red tartan, known as Royal Stewart tartan, with black, yellow and white stripes. The corset is lined with black satin.

Tartan is mainly associated with Scotland but there is some evidence to say that tartan comes from different parts of the British Isles. The tartan we know today can be seen in the styles from early clans of the Scottish highlands. My Grandmother was from

Black Watch Tartan

Scotland but her family name didn’t have a tartan, however her brother was in the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, also known as the Black Watch in the second world war. The tartan is also called Black Watch, known as a military fabric, it’s a mix of dark blue and green.

French fashion plate from 1875

Tartan has often been used in fashion but mostly in men’s clothing throughout the centuries. It wasn’t until the Victorian and Edwardian periods it become fashionable in women’s dress too. There are many fashion plates showing tartan being used in western high society fashions.

Tartan was used throughout the 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1970’s with the punk movement that tartan was used for a different reason, being used as an anti establishment fabric with the help of Vivianne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren, who launched Punk.McLaren loved fashion and music and thought the two were inseparable. In 1975 he launched the band The Sex Pistols which were to become one of the main figures in the emerging Punk Rock scene.

I’m very influenced by the different styles of tartans avaibale! The tartan corset is available to buy on my DaWanda shop! ♥

I have a new collection coming soon which includes a blue tartan dress! Here’s a sneak peek!